Patents by Inventor Alexander Augst

Alexander Augst has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11940792
    Abstract: A device is provided for controlling longitudinal guidance of a vehicle designed to be driven in an at least partly automated manner. The vehicle includes an actuation element for having a driver control longitudinal guidance, the actuation element being blockable within predefined limit positions in accordance with a variable representing the degree of automation of the vehicle and a first condition. The actuation element can be unblocked in accordance with the variable representing the degree of automation of the traveling vehicle and at least one second condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Alexander Augst, Reiner Friedrich, Claus Dorrer
  • Patent number: 11904962
    Abstract: A device is provided for operating a vehicle which can be driven in an at least partly automated manner, the device includes an actuating element which can be operated by a driver for controlling at least the lateral control of the vehicle, and includes a wheel angle adjuster which, when actuated by the actuating element of the driver and/or by an electronic control unit controlling the automated lateral control of the vehicle, controls a steering angle at the steerable wheels of the vehicle. The device is characterized in that the device has at least one so-called interpretation operating mode which differs from a substantially manual operating mode in that one or more operation action(s) initiated by the driver at the actuating element are suitably interpreted in accordance with the degree of haptic contact between the driver and the actuating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Alexander Augst
  • Publication number: 20230271606
    Abstract: A method for handling a situation relating to a vehicle and/or a third party includes ascertaining or predicting a critical situation relating to the vehicle and/or the third party; detecting an object in the surroundings of the vehicle and/or the third party; and controlling the vehicle and/or the third party relative to the object or controlling the object relative to the vehicle and/or the third party such that in a first phase, a comparably rapid or accelerated approach is carried out between the vehicle and/or the third party and the object; in a second phase, a comparably slow or decelerated approach is carried out between the vehicle and/or the third party and the object; and in a third phase, a contact is produced between the vehicle and/or the third party and the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventor: Alexander AUGST
  • Patent number: 11535296
    Abstract: A device is provided for operating a vehicle which can be driven in an at least partly automated manner, having a steering wheel which can be operated by a driver and which is also designed to carry out a substantially manual driving mode for controlling at least the lateral control of the vehicle. The device has at least one first operating mode which differs from a substantially manual operating mode in that one or more operations initiated by the driver in a first time interval at the steering wheel are not carried out in the first time interval, but instead are carried out in a second time interval in accordance with a predetermined condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Alexander Augst
  • Patent number: 11433882
    Abstract: A method performs an at least partially automated maneuver. When an increased probability of collision of the vehicle with a vehicle in front is recognized, at least the decision to divert and/or the decision to return, i.e. the decision to return to the lane in which the vehicle was travelling before the diversion, is controlled as a function of a parameter of the traffic situation in front of the vehicle in front.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Alexander Augst
  • Publication number: 20220147044
    Abstract: A device is provided for controlling longitudinal guidance of a vehicle designed to be driven in an at least partly automated manner. The vehicle includes an actuation element for having a driver control longitudinal guidance, the actuation element being blockable within predefined limit positions in accordance with a variable representing the degree of automation of the vehicle and a first condition. The actuation element can be unblocked in accordance with the variable representing the degree of automation of the traveling vehicle and at least one second condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2022
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: Alexander AUGST, Reiner Friedrich, Claus Dorrer
  • Patent number: 11275372
    Abstract: A device is provided for controlling longitudinal guidance of a vehicle designed to be driven in an at least partly automated manner. The vehicle includes an actuation element for having a driver control longitudinal guidance, the actuation element being blockable within predefined limit positions in accordance with a variable representing the degree of automation of the vehicle and a first condition. The actuation element can be unblocked in accordance with the variable representing the degree of automation of the traveling vehicle and at least one second condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaf
    Inventors: Alexander Augst, Reiner Friedrich, Claus Dorrer
  • Patent number: 11230292
    Abstract: Route profile data for a vehicle is processed by acquiring a first set of the route profile data for a predetermined route section of a route of the vehicle depending on data provided by a sensor of the vehicle or another vehicle, where the first set of the route profile data is representative of at least a first local physical road characteristic of the predetermined route section. A second set of the route profile data, which is at least partly related to the predetermined route section, is read, where the second set of the route profile data is representative of at least a second local physical road characteristic. A degree of similarity between the first set of the route profile data and the second set of the route profile data is determined. The second set of the route profile data is assigned, based on the determined degree of similarity, to at least one of conditions immediately surrounding the vehicle and a time-dependent mapping function of influences that the route has on the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Alexander Augst
  • Patent number: 11192459
    Abstract: A method for charging a traction energy storage device of an at least partially electrically driven vehicle includes detecting an interruption of a charging process, and determining a parameter which represents a reason for the interruption of the charging process. The method also includes performing at least one of the following measures as a function of the determined parameter: continuing the charging process in an unchanged or changed fashion, and performing a specific signaling process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Alexander Augst
  • Patent number: 11122367
    Abstract: In a method for controlling an audio system of a vehicle, an intention to communicate and/or a voice of at least one of a specific, occupant of the vehicle and/or of an occupant on a specific seat of the vehicle, are/is sensed, and at least one audio signal of the vehicle is changed as a function of the sensed intention to communicate and/or the voice of the occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Alexander Augst
  • Patent number: 11073101
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to determine values for at least one fuel use characteristic variable which represents a first fuel use process in a first vehicle, are provided. In addition, values are determined for at least one parameter which represents at least one peripheral condition of the fuel use in the first vehicle during the first fuel supply process. A mathematical relationship is determined between one or more supplied values of the at least one fuel use characteristic variable and the corresponding values of the at least one parameter. A profile data record including a data record and/or learning data is supplied on the basis of at least one determined mathematical relationship. At least one further fuel parameter of a fuel which is used by the first vehicle and/or by a second vehicle during a second fuel use process is adapted as a function of the supplied profile data record.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Alexander Augst
  • Patent number: 11072349
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program for producing driver information, where at least some of the driver information is produced in the form of haptic driver information on a control means of a vehicle, includes ascertaining a measure of a haptic contact between the driver of the vehicle and the control means for controlling the vehicle and producing the driver information based on the ascertained measure of the haptic contact between the driver and the control means on the control means as haptic driver information and/or producing auxiliary driver information that corresponds to the driver information and that is perceptible to the driver via a different perception channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Alexander Augst
  • Patent number: 11062598
    Abstract: A method produces visual information, by way of a mobile user device, for at least one occupant of the vehicle in connection with at least partially automated driving, in which method visual information, in particular an image sequence, is displayed on a display of the mobile user device. The image sequence represents a traffic situation detected by the vehicle and/or a need for action of an occupant which is requested or recommended in this context.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Alexander Augst
  • Patent number: 10994747
    Abstract: A method converts an at least partially automated driving maneuver in a vehicle. The method consists of determining, on the basis of surrounding data relating to a surroundings of the vehicle, a planned at least partially automated driving maneuver. The method also consists of generating a kinesthetically and/or haptic signal in relation to the planned driving maneuver for a driver of the vehicle. The method further consists of converting the planned driving maneuver if a predetermined affirmative control action is carried out and/or when a predetermined rejected control action is lacking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Alexander Augst
  • Publication number: 20210031773
    Abstract: A device is provided for operating a vehicle which can be driven in an at least partly automated manner, the device includes an actuating element which can be operated by a driver for controlling at least the lateral control of the vehicle, and includes a wheel angle adjuster which, when actuated by the actuating element of the driver and/or by an electronic control unit controlling the automated lateral control of the vehicle, controls a steering angle at the steerable wheels of the vehicle. The device is characterized in that the device has at least one so-called interpretation operating mode which differs from a substantially manual operating mode in that one or more operation action(s) initiated by the driver at the actuating element are suitably interpreted in accordance with the degree of haptic contact between the driver and the actuating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Inventor: Alexander AUGST
  • Publication number: 20210016788
    Abstract: A device and operating method are provided for an interaction between a vehicle, which can travel in an at least partially automated manner, with an operator control element, which can be operated by the user of the vehicle for influencing at least the transverse guidance of the vehicle. A wheel positioning angle and/or a drive torque or braking torque at at least one wheel of the vehicle can be controlled in response to an operator control action at the operator control element or as a function of a control unit for controlling at least partially automated travel. Depending on the degree of haptic contact between the user of the vehicle and the operator control element, at least one movement of the vehicle can be executed on the basis of one or more operator control actions of the user and/or on the basis of data of the control unit for controlling the at least partially automated travel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventor: Alexander AUGST
  • Publication number: 20200353980
    Abstract: Please substitute the new Abstract submitted herewith for the original Abstract: A device is provided for operating a vehicle which can be driven in an at least partly automated manner, having a steering wheel which can be operated by a driver and which is also designed to carry out a substantially manual driving mode for controlling at least the lateral control of the vehicle. The device has at least one first operating mode which differs from a substantially manual operating mode in that one or more operations initiated by the driver in a first time interval at the steering wheel are not carried out in the first time interval, but instead are carried out in a second time interval in accordance with a predetermined condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventor: Alexander AUGST
  • Patent number: 10832577
    Abstract: A method for determining at least one road user with a potential for interaction in a route segment includes detecting, using a unit outside a first vehicle, information with respect to a plurality of road users entering a route segment at an entry point to the route segment, where the information comprises information about one or more properties of the plurality of road users. The method also includes determining service data based on the information with respect to at least one of the plurality of road users, and determining that the first vehicle is situated in the route segment or will be situated in the route segment after a predefined time interval has elapsed. Thereafter, service data is provided in the first vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Alexander Augst
  • Publication number: 20200351632
    Abstract: The invention relates to processing data in connection with a vehicle. The processing includes determining change data characterizing a change in one or more variables in the vehicle. The processing further includes determining a spectral distribution, in particular a spectral distribution function, on the basis of the sensed or acquired change data of the one or more variables in the vehicle. The processing further includes providing the data on the basis of the determined spectral distribution for use outside the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventor: Alexander AUGST
  • Patent number: 10808634
    Abstract: Values of at least one energy utilization characteristic, which represents a first energy utilization process in a first vehicle, are determined. Furthermore, values of at least one parameter, which represents at least one boundary condition of the energy utilization in the first vehicle during the first energy utilization process, are also determined. A mathematical relationship between at least one or more values provided for the at least one energy utilization characteristic and the corresponding values of the parameters is determined and a profile record comprising a record and/or learning data is provided on the basis of at least one mathematical relationship determined. Depending on the profile record, at least one operating parameter of the drive system of the first vehicle and/or of a second vehicle is adapted in a second energy utilization process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Alexander Augst